Attachments to sliding doors and vehicles including same

Abstract

A sliding door comprises a door structure and a guide rail. The door structure comprises a first surface, a second surface and at least one attachment assembly and defines at least one door aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface. The at least one attachment assembly comprises a first attachment member and a second attachment member. The second attachment member engages the first attachment member and extends through the at least one door aperture having at least a portion of the second attachment member extending beyond the second surface. The guide rail comprises a first contact surface and a second contact surface and defines at least one rail aperture configured to align with the at least one door aperture of the door structure. The second attachment member abuts the second contact surface of the guide rail. Methods of attaching a guide rail to a door structure are also provided herein. Vehicles are also provided.

1. A sliding door comprising:
 a door structure comprising a first surface, a second surface and at least one attachment assembly and defining at least one door aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the at least one attachment assembly comprises a first attachment member and a second attachment member, wherein the first attachment member comprises an internal surface and is fixedly attached to the first surface and the second attachment member engages the internal surface of the first attachment member and extends through the at least one door aperture and having at least a portion of the second attachment member extending beyond the second surface; 
 a guide rail comprising a first contact surface and a second contact surface and defining at least one rail aperture configured to align with the at least one door aperture of the door structure, wherein the second attachment member abuts the second contact surface of the guide rail; and 
 at least one fastener comprising a head and a shank, wherein the shank extends through both the at least one rail aperture and the at least one door aperture and is configured to engage the second attachment member, wherein the head of the fastener abuts the first contact surface of the guide rail. 
 
     
     
       2. The sliding door of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment member comprises a nut welded to the first surface of the door structure. 
     
     
       3. The sliding door of  claim 1 , wherein the second attachment member comprises a threaded collar. 
     
     
       4. The sliding door of  claim 1 , wherein the door structure comprises a plurality of attachment assemblies. 
     
     
       5. The sliding door of  claim 4 , wherein the sliding door comprises a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
       6. The sliding door of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises a bolt. 
     
     
       7. The sliding door of  claim 1 , wherein the door structure and the guide rail are spaced away from each other. 
     
     
       8. The sliding door of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rail aperture comprises a slot such that the guide rail can be adjusted with respect to the fastener. 
     
     
       9. The sliding door of  claim 8 , wherein the guide rail can be adjusted among at least two positions with respect to the at least one fastener.